17 Jan 2014

Top ministers in PNG called in for questioning in corruption probe

10:14 am on 17 January 2014

The Papua New Guinea police Commissioner Tom Kulunga has asked the Finance Minister James Marape and Treasurer Don Polye to go in for interviews over their alleged roles in corrupt fee payments to the firm Paul Paraka Lawyers.

The Post Courier reports Mr Marape is expected to attend the interview today while Don Polye will go in on Monday.

The development follows a statement by Task Force Sweep chairman Sam Koim, that the team could not pursue the Prime Minister's alleged involvement in the payment.

The Opposition Leader Belden Namah, said only a properly constituted court of law could determine on evidence and in accordance with law whether Mr O'Neill wrote the directive letter of January 24, 2012 or not.

Mr Marape confirmed that he had been invited by police to be interviewed and he would co-operate with the investigations into his alleged role in the payments.